Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Talent (01/08/26)
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TITLE: One Of The Three "T's" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
01/11/26 -
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These are the three “T’s” of discipleship.
What one knows about the Written Word of God (The Bible) is equivalent to what knows about the Living Word of God (1), the Lord Jesus Christ.
Without such personal knowledge, what one knows (or thinks he knows) about God, or the things of God, is limited to what others, be it accurate or not, have told them.
This is a slippery slope, in light of Matt. 7: 13 that teaches that when it comes to spiritual issues, the majority of folks get it wrong.
It is only by investing one’s personal, daily time in the study and meditation of the Word of God, that one can learn what the Written and the Living Word of God (2), actually has to say.
One cannot apply or teach others anything, by word or example, until he or she has first learned it and applied it for himself.
Jesus taught that wherever one’s treasure ($$$) is, there is where his or her heart is, as well (3).
“Do not store up yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal (Matt. 6: 19, 20 NASB2020).”
God opens our account in Heaven on the day one is born again, as we begin our post salvation spiritual life, here on Earth. We have the opportunity to make deposits into this account during our time here on Earth, through the production of divine good (4), as one spiritually matures, and by participating in the Great Commission (5).
Many Christians can tell you to the penny what the balance of their earthly accounts are at any given time, but haven’t a clue as to what the balance may be (if they have one) in their account in Heaven.
Upon leaving this world, the balance(s) of one’s earthly account(s) is $0.00 (6). As of that moment, it just became the possession of someone else.
The balance (if any) in one’s account in Heaven will then determine what, if any, eternal rewards and privileges one will receive (7).
Having now addressed the “T’s “ of time and treasure, we now move on to the 3rd “T,” that being one’s talent.
As a born-again believer advances along the road to spiritual maturity, he will have an increased desire to identify, develop, and execute his area of ministry (service), prioritizing the salvation and or the spiritual edification, of others.
Each one of us have our own set of human talents and the opportunities to apply them, primarily to make the best of our secular lives while here on Earth, as we provide for the logistical needs and services for ourselves, our dependents, and other people.
With these talents and opportunities, believers, unbelievers, and atheists alike, produce human good. Human good has its own compensation and rewards, here on Earth, but is dismissed (burnt up-1Cor. 3: 15) as far as having any merit for reward in Heaven.
On the other hand, divine good, for which there is reward in Heaven, can only be produced by Spirit-filled (8), born-again believers (9).
Every born-again believer is given an individually-gifted talent, an accompanying ministry (area of service), and access to the enabling power (10) to produce divine good, contributing to the evangelization and or edification of others (11), as he or she participates in the Great Commission (12)
The selection of ones’ spiritually related talent, and accompanying ministry (area of service), is NOT the choice or selection of the human recipient. God’s the Holy Spirit makes these determinations (13).
Many believers, with the best of intentions, make the mistake of choosing an area of service that appeals to them, but is not what God has in mind.
Then, they are left to wonder why the opportunity comes to an end, not realizing that it is God, working behind the scenes, re-directing the course of their lives for what He has in mind.
Here in the Church Age, the type of talent and accompanying ministry (area of service) that God has in mind for each individual believer varies, but all fit into His master plan, placing us where we need to be, fulfilling our individual part, in the Great Commission.
(1) John 1: 1 (2) John 1: 1/1Cor. 2: 16 (3) Matt. 6: 21 (4) Mark 4: 20 (5) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (6) Job 1: 21 (7) 1Cor. 3: 15 /Rev. 2/Rev. 3 (8) Acts 1: 8 (9) John 15: 5 (10) John 15: 5 (11) 1Cor. 12 :7 (12) Matt.28:19,20 (13)1Cor.12: 4, 5, 7
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